RDS CAL License Keygen: How to Troubleshoot and Resolve Common RDS Licensing Issues
RDS CAL License Keygen: What You Need to Know
If you want to use Remote Desktop Services (RDS) on Windows Server, you need to have client access licenses (CALs) for each user or device that connects to your RD Session Host servers. Without valid RDS CALs, your users will not be able to access your remote desktops or applications after the grace period of 120 days expires.
Rds Cal License Keygen
But how do you get RDS CALs? How do you install and activate them on your server? And how do you manage and monitor them to ensure compliance with Microsoft licensing rules?
In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will explain what RDS CALs are, why you need them, and how they work. We will also show you how to install and activate the RDS Licensing role on Windows Server, how to install and activate RDS CALs on your server, and how to manage and monitor them using various tools.
By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of RDS CAL license keygen and how to use it effectively in your RDS deployment.
What is RDS CAL and why do you need it?
RDS CAL stands for Remote Desktop Services Client Access License. It is a license that grants a user or a device the right to access an RD Session Host server and use its remote desktops or applications.
You need RDS CALs for two reasons:
To comply with Microsoft licensing rules. According to Microsoft, all users or devices that use RDS features must be licensed with an appropriate RDS CAL. If you don't have enough RDS CALs for your users or devices, you are violating the Remote Desktop Services license terms and may face legal consequences.
To enable full functionality of RDS features. Without valid RDS CALs, your users will not be able to connect to your RD Session Host servers after the grace period of 120 days expires. They will see an error message like this:
RDS CAL types and models
There are two types of RDS CALs:
RDS Per Device CAL: This type of license is assigned to a specific device (such as a computer, a tablet, or a smartphone) that connects to an RD Session Host server. The license is tracked by the license server and can be revoked if needed. A device with an RDS Per Device CAL can access any RD Session Host server in your organization.
RDS Per User CAL: This type of license is assigned to a specific user account in Active Directory that connects to an RD Session Host server. The license is not tracked by the license server, but by Active Directory. A user with an RDS Per User CAL can access any RD Session Host server in your organization from any device.
There are also two models of licensing RDS CALs:
Per Device model: In this model, you - Per Device model: In this model, you purchase and install RDS Per Device CALs for each device that connects to your RD Session Host servers. You can use the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager tool to manage and monitor the RDS Per Device CALs on your license server. This model is suitable for scenarios where you have a fixed number of devices that access RDS features, such as a kiosk or a terminal. - Per User model: In this model, you purchase and install RDS Per User CALs for each user account that connects to your RD Session Host servers. You can use the Active Directory Users and Computers tool to manage and monitor the RDS Per User CALs in your domain. This model is suitable for scenarios where you have a variable number of devices that access RDS features, such as a BYOD (bring your own device) policy or a remote workforce. RDS CAL version compatibility
Another important factor to consider when purchasing RDS CALs is the version compatibility. RDS CALs are backward compatible, but not forward compatible. This means that you can use a higher version of RDS CAL to access a lower version of RD Session Host server, but not vice versa.
For example, you can use an RDS CAL for Windows Server 2022 to access an RD Session Host server running Windows Server 2019, but you cannot use an RDS CAL for Windows Server 2019 to access an RD Session Host server running Windows Server 2022.
Therefore, you should always purchase RDS CALs that match or exceed the highest version of RD Session Host server in your organization.
How to install and activate the RDS Licensing role on Windows Server
Before you can install and activate RDS CALs on your server, you need to install and activate the RDS Licensing role on a Windows Server machine. The RDS Licensing role is responsible for issuing and validating RDS CALs for your RD Session Host servers. You can install the RDS Licensing role on the same server as the RD Session Host role, or on a separate server.
There are two ways to install and activate the RDS Licensing role on Windows Server: using Server Manager or using PowerShell.
Install the Remote Desktop Licensing role using Server Manager or PowerShell
To install the Remote Desktop Licensing role using Server Manager, follow these steps:
Open Server Manager and click on Manage > Add Roles and Features.
On the Before You Begin page, click Next.
On the Installation Type page, select Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.
On the Server Selection page, select the server where you want to install the role and click Next.
On the Server Roles page, expand Remote Desktop Services and check Remote Desktop Licensing. Click Next.
On the Features page, click Next.
On the Confirmation page, click Install.
On the Results page, click Close.
To install the Remote Desktop Licensing role using PowerShell, run this command as an administrator:
Install-WindowsFeature -Name RDS-Licensing -IncludeManagementTools
Activate the RDS License Server online or by phone
After installing the Remote Desktop Licensing role, you need to activate the RDS License Server. This is a one-time process that registers your license server with Microsoft and enables it to issue and validate RDS CALs. You can activate the RDS License Server online or by phone.
To activate the RDS License Server online, follow these steps:
Open Server Manager and click on Tools > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.
In the left pane, right-click on your license server and select Activate Server.
On the Welcome to the Activate Server Wizard page, click Next.
On the Connection Method page, select Automatic connection (recommended) and click Next.
On the Company Information page, enter your company name and contact information and click Next.
On the Completing the Activate Server Wizard page, click Next.
On the Activate Server Wizard dialog box, click OK.
To activate the RDS License Server by phone, follow these steps:
Open Server Manager and click on Tools > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.
In the left pane, right-click on your license server and select Activate Server.
On the Welcome to the Activate Server Wizard page, click Next.
On the Connection Method page, select Telephone and click Next - On the Connection Method page, select Telephone and click Next.
On the Country/Region Selection page, select your country or region and click Next.
On the License Server ID page, note down the license server ID and call the Microsoft Clearinghouse number that matches your country or region.
Provide the license server ID and your company information to the Microsoft representative and receive a confirmation ID.
On the License Server ID page, enter the confirmation ID and click Next.
On the Completing the Activate Server Wizard page, click Next.
On the Activate Server Wizard dialog box, click OK.
How to install and activate RDS CALs on Windows Server
After activating the RDS License Server, you need to install and activate RDS CALs on your server. This is a process that adds RDS CALs to your license server and makes them available for your RD Session Host servers. You can install and activate RDS CALs online or by phone.
To install and activate RDS CALs on Windows Server, you need to do three things:
Choose the appropriate RDS CAL type and model for your scenario.
Purchase RDS CALs from Microsoft or a reseller.
Install RDS CALs using the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.
Choose the appropriate RDS CAL type and model for your scenario
As we mentioned earlier, there are two types of RDS CALs (Per Device and Per User) and two models of licensing them (Per Device and Per User). You need to choose the type and model that best suits your needs and budget.
To help you decide, here are some factors to consider:
The number of users or devices that access RDS features in your organization.
The frequency and duration of their access to RDS features.
The type of devices they use to access RDS features (such as personal or corporate devices).
The version of Windows Server that runs on your RD Session Host servers.
For example, if you have a large number of users who access RDS features from multiple devices, you may want to use the Per User type and model. This way, you only need to purchase one RDS Per User CAL for each user account, regardless of how many devices they use. On the other hand, if you have a small number of devices that access RDS features from a fixed location, you may want to use the Per Device type and model. This way, you only need to purchase one RDS Per Device CAL for each device, regardless of how many users use it.
Purchase RDS CALs from Microsoft or a reseller
Once you have decided on the type and model of RDS CALs you need, you can purchase them from Microsoft or a reseller. You can buy them online or offline, depending on your preference. You can also choose between retail or volume licensing options, depending on your organization size and needs.
To purchase RDS CALs from Microsoft online, visit this website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/product-licensing/remote-desktop-services
To purchase RDS CALs from a reseller online or offline, visit this website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/solution-providers/home
Install RDS CALs using the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager
After purchasing RDS CALs from Microsoft or a reseller, you need to install them on your license server using the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager tool. This tool allows you to add, activate, deactivate, revoke, or remove RDS CALs on your license server. You can also use it to view the status and usage of your RDS CALs.
To install RDS CALs using the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager, follow these steps:
Open Server Manager and click on Tools > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.
In the left pane, right-click on your license server and select Install Licenses.
On the Welcome to the Install Licenses Wizard page, click Next.
On the License Program page, select the license program that matches your purchase (such as Retail Purchase or Volume License Agreement) and click Next.
On the License Code page, enter the license code that you received from Microsoft or your reseller and click Add. You can add multiple license codes if you have them. Click Next when done.
On the Completing the - On the Completing the Install Licenses Wizard page, click Next.
On the Install Licenses Wizard dialog box, click OK.
Congratulations, you have successfully installed RDS CALs on your license server. You can now use them to access your RD Session Host servers.
How to manage and monitor RDS CALs on Windows Server
After installing RDS CALs on your license server, you need to manage and monitor them to ensure that they are working properly and that you are complying with Microsoft licensing rules. You can use various tools and settings to do this, such as:
Configure RDS license settings on RD Session Host servers.
View RDS CAL usage reports and diagnostics.
Revoke or remove RDS CALs if needed.
Configure RDS license settings on RD Session Host servers
To configure RDS license settings on RD Session Host servers, you need to specify the license server and the licensing mode that match your RDS CAL type and model. This will allow your RD Session Host servers to communicate with your license server and request RDS CALs for your users or devices.
To configure RDS license settings on RD Session Host servers using Server Manager, follow these steps:
Open Server Manager and click on Remote Desktop Services in the left pane.
In the Overview page, click on RD Licensing in the Deployment Overview section.
In the Tasks menu, click on Edit Deployment Properties.
In the Deployment Properties dialog box, click on RD Licensing in the left pane.
In the right pane, select a licensing mode that matches your RDS CAL type (such as Per Device or Per User).
Click on Add to add a license server to the deployment. Enter the name or IP address of your license server and click OK.
Click OK to save the changes.
To configure RDS license settings on RD Session Host servers using PowerShell, run these commands as an administrator:
# Set the licensing mode to Per Device or Per User Set-RDSessionCollectionConfiguration -CollectionName "Your Collection Name" -SessionHost "Your Session Host Name" -CustomRdpProperty "LicensingMode:i:4" # For Per Device Set-RDSessionCollectionConfiguration -CollectionName "Your Collection Name" -SessionHost "Your Session Host Name" -CustomRdpProperty "LicensingMode:i:5" # For Per User # Set the license server name or IP address Set-RDLicenseConfiguration -LicenseServer "Your License Server Name or IP Address" -ConnectionBroker "Your Connection Broker Name"
View RDS CAL usage reports and diagnostics
To view RDS CAL usage reports and diagnostics, you can use the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager tool or the RD Licensing Diagnoser tool. These tools can help you monitor the status and availability of your RDS CALs, as well as troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
To view RDS CAL usage reports using the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager tool, follow these steps:
Open Server Manager and click on Tools > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.
In the left pane, expand All Servers and select your license server.
In the right pane, right-click on your RDS CAL type (such as Per Device or Per User) and select Create Report > Per User CAL Usage or Create Report > Per Device CAL Usage.
In the Generate Report dialog box, specify a date range and a location for saving the report file. Click OK.
Open the report file using a text editor or a spreadsheet application. You will see information such as the number of issued and available RDS CALs, the expiration date of each RDS CAL, and the user or device name associated with each RDS CAL.
To view RDS CAL diagnostics using the RD Licensing Diagnoser tool, follow these steps:
Open Server Manager and click on Tools > Remote Desktop Services > RD Licensing Diagnoser.
In the left pane, select your RD Session Host server.
In the right pane, you will see information such as the licensing mode, the license server discovery mode, the license server status, and any warnings or errors related to RDS licensing. You can also click on View Details to see more information about each issue.
Revoke or remove RDS CALs if needed
Sometimes, you may need to revoke or remove RDS CALs from your license server. This may be necessary if you - Sometimes, you may need to revoke or remove RDS CALs from your license server. This may be necessary if you want to reassign RDS CALs to different users or devices, if you want to decommission a license server, or if you want to troubleshoot RDS licensing issues.
To revoke or remove RDS CALs, you can use the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager tool. However, there are some limitations and considerations that you need to be aware of:
You can only revoke RDS Per Device CALs, not RDS Per User CALs. This is because RDS Per User CALs are not tracked by the license server, but by Active Directory.
You can only revoke up to 20% of the total number of RDS Per Device CALs installed on your license server per 60-day period. This is to prevent abuse of the revocation feature.
You can only revoke RDS Per Device CALs that have been issued within the last 52-89 days. This is because RDS Per Device CALs have a validity period of 52-89 days, after which they are automatically returned to the license server.
You can only remove RDS CALs that have not been issued to any user or device. If you want to remove RDS CALs that have been issued, you need to revoke them first.
To revoke or remove RDS CALs using the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager tool, follow these steps:
Open Server Manager and click on Tools > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.
In the left pane, expand All Servers and select your license server.
In the right pane, right-click on your RDS CAL type (such as Per Device or Per User) and select Manage Licenses.
On the Welcome to the Manage Licenses Wizard page, click Next.
On the Manage Licenses page, select Revoke licenses or Remove licenses and click Next.
On the Revoke Licenses page or the Remove Licenses page, select the RDS CALs that you want to revoke or remove and click Next.
On the Completing the Manage Licenses Wizard page, click Next.
On the Manage Licenses Wizard dialog box, click OK.
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered everything you need to know about RDS CAL license keygen and how to use it effectively in your RDS deployment. We have explained what RDS CALs are, why you need them, and how they work. We have also shown you how to install and activate the RDS Licensing role on Windows Server, how to install and activate RDS CALs on your server, and how to manage and monitor them using various tools.
We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about RDS CAL license keygen:
What is a keygen?
A keygen is a software program that generates license keys for software products. Some people use keygens to illegally activate software products without paying for them. However, using keygens is illegal and unethical, and may expose your computer to malware and viruses. You should always purchase software products from legitimate sources and use genuine license keys.
Can I use a keygen to activate RDS CALs?
No, you cannot use a keygen to activate RDS CALs. RDS CALs are not activated by license keys, but by contacting Microsoft or a reseller. Using a keyg